Your worst race nightmare

At my very informal 5K last Saturday, I got some mixed reactions about the presence of my dog. When I walked up to register, the woman asked "You're walking, right?" and when I said that I was running she asked "With the dog?" I had 2 other people ask me if I was sure the dog could run the whole race before we even started.

The dog is thinking: "This bitch is holding me back from my victory with her waving!"

Once the race started, I had two entirely different people make cracks about how they weren't going to let a dog beat them. That 5K was the dog's 7th race and at every one, people have seemed distraught at the notion of losing to a dog. This got me thinking about what losing scenarios are people's worst nightmares in a race:


Dogs: Despite their natural inclination for running, people still think they should be faster than a dog. I will admit that getting beat by a non-working breed would sting a little, especially if it was something like this:

I bet it would nip at your ankles too

Strollers: I see this again and again in race recaps: "I couldn't let the stroller beat me!" This one makes more sense than the dog thing because pushing the stroller does actually slow a person down. Keep in mind though that you're still racing the person pushing the stroller, not the baby in it. If they beat you, it's probably because if they didn't have the stroller you wouldn't have even had that runner in your sights. Also, moms who run with strollers are usually serious runners. They have to be to be out there doing their runs while pushing a kid, which means they want it. I'm pretty ok with getting beat by a stroller pusher!


The non-tech type: You roll up to the race in your top of the line tech gear and your fancy GPS watch. The person next to you is decked out in ratty cotton sweatpants and sweat band...and a normal watch. That person obviously doesn't take running as seriously as you, so it stings a lot if they beat you. Who knew you could run a race without wicking material?


The young kid: Most people expect high school age kids to be in the front at short races, but younger kids are a dark horse. It's common for them to dart ahead of you and then have to walk, but occasionally there is one that just keeps going and makes you question your choice in hobbies and decision to pay 25 bucks to run a 5K and get your ass handed to you by an 8 year old.

You can't catch me!

The old person: You probably don't want to admit this one, but you don't want Grandpa beating you. Old guys are usually pretty tough and they beat me all the time, but it feels better when a young guy beats me.

Bringing sexy back

These are all the examples I could think of, unless you combine them. I got beat horribly by a dude pushing a stroller and holding onto a dog. That was more "Wow" than anything, mostly because he came from way behind and passed me on a large hill. That's crazy!

What's your worst race losing nightmare? Notice how I didn't say "That one other chick in my age group". It's funny because I should be focused on that factor, yet I never pay attention to that.

I'm the fastest baby in my age group!